INDEPENDENT, GREENS AND LIB DEMS JOIN LABOUR AND TORY IN FIGHT FOR CLAREMONT

Five candidates have declared that they are to stand in the forthcoming Claremont by-election to be held on Thursday 5th October. Mary Ferrer is standing as an Independent, while Mike Pevitt, who recently failed to win the Kersal ward, is standing for the Labour Party.

The Claremont ward by-election, to be held on Thursday 5th October, will see five candidates contesting the seat currently held by Labour.

Standing in this election are Stef Lorenz for the Liberal Democrats, Daniel Towers for the Green Party and Charlotte Woods for the Conservative Party.

Also going for what should be a safe seat for the Labour Party is Mike Pevitt, who failed to hold the safe Labour seat in Kersal in the midst of controversy over the Salford City FC stadium and its parking problems.

Indeed, since that election, Pevitt has courted more controversy by recently re-tweeting a photo of the Moor Lane stadium under floodlights, with the caption 'hope the neighbours ain't moaning about the lights'...to which one resident replied on Twitter... 'hope the candidate ain't moaning about the lost by-election...'

Pevitt's main rival is former LibDem councillor, Mary Ferrer, now standing on an Independent ticket following her resignation from UKIP. Ferrer is the only candidate who lives in the ward.

For further details on the by-election see Salford Council website – click here

Old Salfordian wroteat 3:22:13 PM on Monday, September 18, 2017

I predict that the winner with ~ 75% of the eligible vote will be the Can't Be Bothered To Vote Party.
That pretty much sums up politics in Salford

Greetings Fellow Psephologistic and Fashionistas!
Please to advise you all that my Turbo Electric Buggy has had a couple of updates: primarily, it has had had the batteries modified to ensure maximum power to cover greater distances particularly during the Claremont By Election, specifically to deal with the hills in “Irlam En Haut” (sounds so much more classier that Irlam o’th’Heights (that should appeal to the champagne socialist climbers and tories)) and to ensure that there is sufficient power to brew cuppas for my travel mug which, incidentally matches, neigh, complements, the colour scheme of my Buggy: electric Blue, RLB Red Lips and Chrome Yellow.
But that’s enough of my personal news! I understand that Labour’s “Peripatetic” Pevitt has declined to appear in an Hustings with the other Claremont Candidates as he is too busy! How on earth can he represent Claremont as a Councillor (which would be contrary to his elections track record) with all his outside interests and “commitments”? Bet he doesn’t resign them, in case he doesn’t win…..again!!
If all the other Candidates are prepared to hold an hustings, then perhaps they could leave a chair vacant for “Peripatetic” Pevitt, symbolically placing a Greater Manchester A to Z and an Ordnance Survey Grid Reference, together with instructions from “How to manage your time better and to decide what is more important” published by that well-known author H Orologist.
Is Labour running scared by keeping their Candidate hidden from Claremont’s Electorate? Pity they didn’t think about this tactic in Kersal!!
Note to Labour's Diary: Wrong Candidate, Wrong Seat. A "Buggin's Turn" choice!!

Claremont resident wroteat 5:35:02 AM on Friday, September 15, 2017

But that would constitute special treatment and we can't have that can we??
It's not just the Independent, haven't had anything from the Green either.

Leaflets started going out start of this week. Hope to have the ward covered mid to end of next week.then hopefully start with the second.

Claremont resident wroteat 1:36:07 PM on Thursday, September 14, 2017

Have had both a leaflet and a visit from Mike Pevitt,a vist from Stef Lorenz,and a leaflet from Charlotte Woods Still waiting to see something from Daniel Towers and Mary Ferrer.

Mary ferrer wroteat 12:55:38 PM on Thursday, September 14, 2017

As you may know I said I would hold a hustings if ALL the candidates attend. Well the LABOUR candidate Mr Tevitt can't because Of ALL his commitments. He can't find ONE hour to be available to take part in a meeting with the residents he is hoping to represent in Council. If that's the case,how would be cope if he became the ward councillor for Claremont.This now means there won't be a public meeting for the residents to ask questions of the candidates. The other 3 were all in favour.But as I said at the start,it would have to be ALL.

Not an angry socialist wroteat 7:57:37 AM on Thursday, September 14, 2017

Mary Ferrer says it as it is. Persistent sleep-walking Labour voters need to wake up and smell the coffee.
If City of Salford Council was a public liability company, it would have folded by now. A company can’t keep borrowing money to keep itself afloat nor can keep demanding money from its shareholders nor offer services (AJ Bell Stadium) that its customers don’t want. Yet Labour Salford Council does all this – borrowing and mortgaging the City to the hilt, maximising increases in Council tax, squeezing the pips till they squeak, and reducing services to keep vanity projects afloat.
It’s about time that Salford City Council was put into “special measures”, its leaders suspended, and a public inquiry held into its financial strategy and those accountable MADE accountable for this mess. After all, this would happen if Salford Council was a “plc” and not a local authority. Nationally, the Labour Party needs to investigate how our local constituency and branch parties have run Salford City into the ground and into its members who sit in splendid isolation in their ivory tower that is the Civic Centre.
So, who’s going to start a petition?

retired socailst wroteat 4:31:52 AM on Thursday, September 14, 2017

Paul can I refer to your attack on Mary over the Grange, you and others do dust of your banners and scream over the cuts and to be honest I hold up my hands to you, you and people like Steve highlight the shameful Labour practices but for all your flag waving and protest you miss the key element without a voice in Council no one gives a damn. You promote TUSK and year on year your vote tally can be done on a piece of scrap paper, the same for the Green party and Liberal Democrats. The only way you will achieve change and a voice is to vote for someone like Mary, Mary fails on the split vote the Tory Factions, I would ask today they offer their vote to Mary along with your supporters then if you fail to garner Marys support then attack her only then would you have the right.

Mary ferrer wroteat 1:35:54 AM on Thursday, September 14, 2017

Mr gerrand. I said salford Labour run council,yet again got more loans to keep the Salford Community Stadium afloat and in the same week they closed the Grange. Which is a fact.I haven't put it on my first leaflet and it won't be going on my second.things like this are the reason I have come out of retirement. This is my city. I have lived here all my life.my children and grandchildren live here. It will be them that pick up the bill for this Labour council. They don't look after the young the old or the most vulnerable. They bend over backwards for developer's who in turn don't put a thing back into OUR City.We get NO affordable homes.They built the stadium at a cost of £21million, they haven't made a profit and they keep topping the bloody thing up.last count I think it has cost US about £24 million. Millions in more loans to build a super duper garden,but don't worry we will get hundreds of JOBS. Think I heard that before with the BBC. Now I see they are plodding ahead with the Fracking.They don't think about the people of Salford

I used to live in the Claremont ward, but now reside in another ward. The local councillor lives in the ward and has done for many years, the seat is entirely safe for her, at election time the other nominees rarely come from the ward.I have always been of the opinion that councillors and also members of parliament should come from the ward or the constituency they intend to represent. Not sure if long-bailey now lives in Salford, she certainly did not when elected, but Barbara Keeley who is my MP has never lived in the area despite being an MP for 12 years.
If the political parties cannot muster any locas up its a pretty poor show, but highlights the way these things work in that they have a pecking order and just parachute people in. The wards need local representation, people who has lived, worked and been involved with the area most or all of their lives, and have the abilities to fulfil the role, should , in my opinion, be the ones to represent the area.

paul gerrard wroteat 10:45:06 AM on Wednesday, September 13, 2017

@ retired socialist -I'm retired from work but not from socialism! At my advanced age(!) I leave standing in elections to others but I've been an agent, several times over, and, unlike Mary, always for the same party - the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.

In my disgust at the Gov not increasing Public Sector pay by at least 2.9% it forces me to support Mike Pevitt the Labour choice in the Claremont election. It is a scandal to deny all our Public Sector workers a decent wage increase.

retired socalist wroteat 3:11:14 AM on Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Paul stick to selling communist newspapers on street corners, if your so worried about Mary why have you never stood? says it all.

Slurp wroteat 3:11:03 AM on Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Salford could do with an independent .Someone who wouldn't be encumbered with party loyalty or party discipline. Someone who can cut through the obfuscation and spin and just tell it how it is. Politics is pretty hopeless in Salford. The place is run year after year by the same ineffectual nonentities. Nothing changes. The same schools that were rubbish 20 years ago are still rubbish. The council blame the Tories for everything but many of the problems are because of hopelessly inadequate local government. Claremont needs someone who can remind these people how very very average (at best) these people are.

paul gerrard wroteat 2:08:52 AM on Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Mary Ferrer, you what? How dare she? She's not a candidate, she's a shape-shifter. She's been a Lib-Dem, a Green, a UKIP, now an 'Independent'????. And she mentions the Grange, cos everyone hates the closure of the Grange. But she's done squit to support the parents, no lobbies, demos, May Day in Bexley. Mary Ferrer?? -per-lease. No way.

Public Hustings idea seems good. Get Felse to chair the public meeting and bring on the clowns ???

Joe O'Neill wroteat 8:32:12 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

I put my hands together for Mary ferrer the common sense candidate, people want to know what she stands for then support the idea of a hustings, the people who come on the site feared to put their names to their comments would have the chance to meet face to face. I have every confidence she would come out top,

Mary Ferrer wroteat 8:09:52 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

First,I wish people would put their name when having a pop.i think I have come up with a idea to answer all the questions. I am now asking All the candidates to a hustings or a Public meeting.To be held within Claremont in the next two weeks. If we could get Steve Kingston to chair or someone we All feel would be impartial.

Bob wroteat 8:09:48 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Mary, I think I may have misled everyone the way I highlighted the fact about free car parking in Trafford. I could have mentioned Scotland where free parking is in place, but that would seem a bit remote to salford , and in no way would that be an endorsement for the Scotish Nationalists, although from time to time I must admit I do admire Nichola Sturgeon for the amount of stick she gives old mother May. The free parking in Trafford has nothing to do with the Torys. They do not own the hospital car park, and I suspect that if they did, they would charge as well. Let me make it clear, I have as much affection for Garidos mob as I do for Dennets. I love Corbyn as much as Teressa May. Like I said, there is only one candidate worth voting for in Claremont, and that is Mary Ferrer. I stand corrected, my fault for not explaining things "proper". Salford education for you.

wroteat 8:09:43 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Mr. Felse.
Your irony is magnificent and appreciated.

Not an angry socialist wroteat 5:57:21 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

We could pull you up on your coherent argument as to why you deserve peoples' votes....if you make one.

Mary ferrer wroteat 3:33:52 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

That the best you can do. Pull me up on my spelling and the use of to many question marks.I'm not doing too bad then.Might be in with a chance

retired socalist wroteat 3:33:40 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Come on Claremont resident even with love of politics I would not have a clue how many times Mary stood, only a belief she is local, yep local unlike the other candidates. She as a record of fighting for the community and comes back, so to me she is game for a fight, your guy fresh from Kersal one more Labour disaster what does he have?

Michael James Felse wroteat 3:33:29 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

People do not need to win this election to make a difference. Instead of attacking each other set up actions to improve our Salford. I am setting up Northern Noms to highlight the lack of title nominations in the North West. My first wave will send to our Conservative PM nominations to open the way towards getting a Sir Fred Done and for his brother Peter for services to UK sports enterprise and to see Andy Burnham and Karen Garrido become Sir and Dame for services to Northern Comminities. I am looking for top other names in targeting 20 nominations in us North West including Sean Anstee, Trafford Council Leader and for Rebecca Long-Bailey both self driven leaders that help give our Northern Powerhouse the potential to rocket community success.

All Engels Covered wroteat 1:37:08 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

The only option in this Election is to Vote Green, has anyone else noticed that climate change ?? Salford needs a Green Party presence on the political scene to kick Labour up the arse on their energy and environmental policy !! Salford is perfectly placed to build new industry such as Renewable Energy, Ecotourism and Sustainable Agriculture and build a new green world deep amongst the industrial decay and decline - let's move on from the Industrial Revolution, let's move on from the so-called "Northern Powerhouse", let's move on from neo-liberal politics to EcoSocialism !! Do your research Salfordians and understand what is happening and the options you have in this Election !! A recent UK Council Election had a 42% swing to the Green Party !! Shake off your chains, understand the statement you can make voting Green Party in this Election and Rise Like Lions

Claremont resident wroteat 1:36:03 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Retired socialist can't spell and Mary can't count or spell!!
The information about previous candidates is freely available on Salford.gov/election results.
Not everyone who takes an interest in their elected members is a member of the Labour Party ....

Not an angry socialist wroteat 1:35:24 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Should we start a crowdfunder, to replace Mary's keyboard after she's smashed it to pieces?

Simon wroteat 1:35:03 AM on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

There really is no need for multiple question marks.

Mary Ferrer wroteat 4:05:37 PM on Monday, September 11, 2017

So Bob the residents in Claremont should vote for the Tory candidate because we could then get parking free at salford Royal???? So we must forget all the major cuts,not just salford Council but council's across GB are having to make,to get free parking. Our Labour Council must be one of the worst for housekeeping. Loans after loans. Developers taking the Mick.
Claremont Resident,yes I stood twice in weaste,but I stood 4 times in Claremont. Now how many times did Mr Pevitt stand in boothtown??? Where did he come there.??? And of course he not so long ago stood in the Labour stronghold in kersal.Now how did he get on there.Lost if I am not mistaken.Well we are sure getting a good candidate in him. He doesn't live in the ward.He stands in one half of the city,what twice.then hops over to the other side of the city and he looses a Labour stronghold. Definitely a good candidate

retired socailst wroteat 4:05:31 PM on Monday, September 11, 2017

Claremont Resident gives up your Labour party membership number and then we can discuss politics more openly, amazed if you say you are none political storing all Marys background information.
What ever you say about MARY she's local, as a pair and willing to fight unlike LABOUR ONLY SEEN by-elections, elections and Generals.

wroteat 4:05:02 PM on Monday, September 11, 2017

Clearly Felse has done well investing his royalties from writing the Health and Safety at Work Act since 1974. Why write that for the then Labour Government and now become a Tory face. Why are you not standing in Claremont for Labour. Just asking.

Will wroteat 4:04:49 PM on Monday, September 11, 2017

Well, here's something interesting - the Statement of Persons Nominated is dated Friday 12 May 2017, which they must have left unchanged from a previous version as nominations only closed last Friday. How much mischief could someone cause over that?

Bob wroteat 1:03:08 PM on Monday, September 11, 2017

Heres a question for all our candidates in both coming wards, claremont and langworthy. Last week,i took a lady friend of mine to the minor injuries unit, after she tripped up on one of our wobbly paving flags.because of the waiting time i was advised to go to the one in trafford general hospital as opposed to hope. as i understand it, salford and trafford are one administrative unit under the health service. Why is it that you have to pay exorbitant rates to park at labour controlled salford,which likes to say how safe health service services are with labour, and parking is free for 3 hours(you're not there anywhere near that long) in nasty wicked tory controlled trafford. Can it be because salford council own the big car park at hope and make about a million quid a year from it? I must admit though, if i owned a car park that had a captive customer base, and made a million a year, i wouldn't let people park for nothing. No, i would charge double and make 2 million a year, and take all the flak from people like me who like to moan about things in online papers like this one.Wake up Claremont residents there is only one choice here.Make it.It is a pity the Star is so politicaly neutral, you never know, a bit of press support can sometimes help.

Claremont resident wroteat 1:02:12 PM on Monday, September 11, 2017

Apologies Mary, yes you have lost in Claremont on 5 occasions. I forgot that you stood in Weaste in 2012 and 2013, and lost there as well.

retired socialst wroteat 12:05:56 PM on Monday, September 11, 2017

Claremomt resident
In the interest of Balance Mrs Ferrer is fighting again for the same seat, not like Labours Candidate fliting from one seat to the next, Carpetbagger comes to mind.

Mary ferrer wroteat 12:05:41 PM on Monday, September 11, 2017

It's 5 times.and please note each time I stood in Claremont I came second.only stood because I care about Claremont and the city.I retired but because our great LABOUR council care so much for the people of Salford I decided to come back. Loans after loans to the stadium. The interest comes out of the pot of money for our much needed services. On the same week of getting more loans they shut the Grange. Yes we have a LABOUR council that put the people of MY city first.And Mr Pevitt is a great example of how much contempt he has for the residents of OUR City. I am going to fight this election with no softly softly. I will do what I do best,say it like it is
No lies,just the truth.

Mary ferrer wroteat 10:48:19 AM on Monday, September 11, 2017

Well all I can say is,kersal had a narrow escape,he could have been their ward counillor.If he get voted in Claremont we better not moan about litter fly tipping anti social behaviour. In fact we better leave him alone. Contact the other 2,that's if you can get hold of them.How can he say neighbours are moaning.it's their right to have their say. God help us in Claremont

Claremont resident wroteat 10:48:08 AM on Monday, September 11, 2017

In the interest of balance readers should note that Mary Ferrer has stood for election on 6 occasions since 2010 and has lost every time.